Obama rallies with progressive Michigan Senate candidate El-Sayed

Former President Barack Obama will campaign with Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed in Detroit on October 24, according to announcements on October 5. The rally, which will also feature gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson, falls on the first day of Michigan's in-person early voting period, ten days before the general election.

El-Sayed, a doctor and former Wayne County health director, won an August primary by less than one percentage point against moderate Rep. Haley Stevens, a result that exposed divisions within the Democratic Party over ideology and strategy. El-Sayed's campaign centered on Medicare for All, opposition to corporate PAC donations, and criticism of U.S. military aid to Israel and its conduct in Gaza. He received backing from progressive figures including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Stevens, by contrast, was supported by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate incumbent Gary Peters. In the primary, Stevens won approximately 51 percent of the Democratic vote in Wayne County (which includes Detroit, where over 75 percent of residents are Black) compared with El-Sayed's 45 percent. Some advertisements supporting Stevens featured archived footage of Obama praising her, which critics characterized as misleading given Obama had not endorsed in the race.

El-Sayed is running for the open seat vacated by retiring Democrat Gary Peters against Republican former congressman Mike Rogers. The race is one of a handful expected to determine Senate control. A late-September Marist poll showed El-Sayed ahead 51 percent to 44 percent among registered voters. The general election comes after record spending against El-Sayed: AIPAC and allied groups spent approximately $30 million to oppose him, while Stevens and her supporters outspent El-Sayed's side nearly nine to one on advertising.

Obama has maintained selective involvement in the 2026 midterms but is increasing his engagement in the final weeks. He recorded approximately two dozen advertisements for Democratic candidates for governor and Senate, with additional campaign stops planned. This week he will headline a Washington fundraiser for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned with El-Sayed last month, and Obama spoke with El-Sayed by phone following his primary victory.

The Michigan race is among the most consequential in recent state history, with open contests for governor, secretary of state, and attorney general, as well as control of the state legislature at stake. Benson, who will appear with Obama, faces Republican Rep. John James in the gubernatorial race.